Mangaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system by proposing the establishment of government medical colleges and super-specialty hospitals in every district. He spoke at the foundation-laying ceremony of the regional center of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) at Mary Hill, Mangaluru, on Friday.
Key Highlights of the CM’s Address
- Expansion of Healthcare Facilities:
- Siddaramaiah emphasized the need for government medical colleges and super-specialty hospitals in every district, including Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, to make medical education and healthcare accessible to underprivileged children from rural areas.
- He reiterated the government’s earlier announcement during his tenure as Finance Minister, which aimed to achieve this goal but remains partially implemented.
- Focus on Government Hospitals:
- The CM expressed a vision to make government hospitals appealing to all, including affluent individuals and politicians.
- He acknowledged that he personally had not sought treatment in government hospitals but aims to make them high-quality and accessible to everyone.
- Research and Accessibility:
- Siddaramaiah urged RGUHS to prioritize research to simplify healthcare services and make them more accessible to the general public.
- He highlighted the ongoing work to improve existing government institutes, including free treatment initiatives for the poor at the Institute of Nephro-Urology and Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research.
- Support for Medical Students:
- Training programs are being conducted to enhance the skills of students benefiting from the Yuvanidhi Guarantee Scheme.
- He encouraged medical students to stay in the healthcare sector and serve the public rather than exploring alternative career paths.
- Free Healthcare for BPL Families:
- Siddaramaiah announced free healthcare services for Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders and instructed medical colleges to implement this directive.
- The CM also addressed the state’s demand for kidney transplants, highlighting the availability of skilled medical teams capable of performing daily transplants with sufficient donor support.
- Regional Centers of RGUHS:
- The regional center of RGUHS in Mangaluru was part of the 2024-25 state budget. Similar centers are under development in Kalaburagi, Mysuru, Davangere, and Bengaluru, according to the Medical Education Minister, Dr. Sharanprakash Rudrappa Patil.
- Siddaramaiah emphasized the need for maintaining high-quality standards in constructing and operating these centers.
Social Responsibility of Medical Professionals
The CM appealed to doctors and medical students to prioritize serving the poor and rural populations, reinforcing the traditional reverence for the medical profession. He called for community-oriented operations in government hospitals to make them meaningful for society’s most vulnerable sections.
Government’s Commitment to Healthcare
The Karnataka government’s initiatives, including free healthcare for BPL families, skill development programs, and investments in RGUHS regional centers, highlight a strong commitment to improving the state’s healthcare infrastructure. The implementation of these plans is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing accessibility and quality of healthcare across Karnataka.
